Whoever decided to revive Chayefsky’s film via a stage production made an astute choice. Network could hardly be more topical or timely in an era that has become infamous for false truths, ‘fake news’ and where ideas have become truncated and traduced by social media.
NETWORK – National Theatre ★★★
Bryan Cranston certainly earns every award going for his craggy, convincing Beale, moving from Dimblebyesque authority to a crazed Learlike breakdown, a self-indulgent, unwell despair.
NETWORK at the National Theatre: ‘Ivo van Hove reasserts his place as one of the premier theatremakers working, anywhere’
A satire that managed to predict just how powerful a tool populist anger can be when leveraged effectively, it is transformed into the immersive bustle of a TV studio, that of UBS Evening News where old hack Howard Beale – a transcendent performance by Bryan Cranston – has been handed his notice.
NETWORK at the National Theatre: Reality & television & film techniques onstage
Network is enthralling, interpreting a strange story in a slick, fast-moving production that manages to reveal the media’s rather shallow relationship with truth and makes profound statements about the concept of collective action, all the while being true to its original movie roots.
7 shows to look out for in November: Network, Big Fish, Everybody’s Talking About Jamie & more
What are the big shows opening in November 2017? Here’s Love London Love Culture’s monthly guide to shows opening in London’s West End and Off-West End, including those led by big-name American stars Bryan Cranston, Kelsey Grammar and Christian Slater… Click on links to BUY tickets in the Mates Ticket Shop.
NEWS: Are you up-to-date with the full cast for Network?
This autumn the National Theatre stages the world-premiere of Network, Lee Hall’s new adaptation of the Oscar-winning film by Paddy Chayefsky.
Directed by Ivo van Hove, the cast includes Bryan Cranston as Howard Beale, Michelle Dockery as Diana Christenson and Douglas Henshall as Max Schumaker.
NEWS: Douglas Henshall joins Bryan Cranston & Michelle Dockery in Network
British stage and screen actor Douglas Henshall will play Max Schumacher in the world premiere of NETWORK at the National Theatre this autumn.
Round-up of news & interesting titbits: Ian wins an award, Harry Potter stars hit Broadway
I’m not one to blow my trumpet too much, honestly, but it was nice to discover that my blog has been named one of Feedspot’s Top 50 Drama Blogs and Websites.
NEWS: Michelle Dockery joins Bryan Cranston in Network premiere at National
Downton Abbey’s Michelle Dockery joins Bryan Cranston in the world stage premiere of Network at the National Theatre.
Critical Digest: Four 5* shows in London & Sheffield and a 1* Peter Pan
Review extracts from four shows that got 5-star reviews: The Lorax at the Old Vic, Les Liaisons Dangereuses at the Donmar, Show Boat at Sheffield’s Crucible & The Dazzle at Found111.
NEWS: Elaine Cassidy replaces Michelle Dockery in Donmar Liaisons
Elaine Cassidy will be taking on the role of Madame de Tourvel in the Donmar’s production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses, replacing Michelle Dockery who regrettably has had to withdraw from the production prior to the start of rehearsals.
NEWS: Donmar announces further Les Liaisons Dangereuses casting
The Donmar announces full principal casting for the final production of the 2015 autumn season, Artistic Director Josie Rourke’s production of Les Liaisons Dangereuses, Christopher Hampton’s stage adaptation of Choderlos de Laclos’ 1782 novel. In addition to the previously announced Michelle Dockery, Janet McTeer and Dominic West, the production will feature Adjoa Andoh, Theo Barklem-Biggs, Morfydd Clark, Edward Holcroft, Jennifer …
NEWS: Donmar announces 2015 autumn season, including all-star Les Liaisons Dangereuses
At the Donmar Warehouse, Artistic Director Josie Rourke today announces an autumn season of three plays by leading contemporary playwrights. Associate Director Robert Hastie directs Abi Morgan’s Splendour in its first major London run; Dominic Cooke returns to the stage with the UK Premiere of Teddy Ferrara by Christopher Shinn; Rourke herself will direct the thirty-year revival of Les Liaisons Dangereuses by Christopher Hampton.